The evolution of Runx genes I. A comparative study of sequences from phylogenetically diverse model organisms.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Runx genes encode proteins defined by the highly conserved Runt DNA-binding domain. Studies of Runx genes and proteins in model organisms indicate that they are key transcriptional regulators of animal development. However, little is known about Runx gene evolution.

Results

A phylogenetically broad sampling of publicly available Runx gene sequences was collected. In addition to the published sequences from mouse, sea urchin, Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans, we collected several previously uncharacterised Runx sequences from public genome sequence databases. Among deuterostomes, mouse and pufferfish each contain three Runx genes, while the tunicate Ciona intestinalis and the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus were each found to have only on

SUBMITTER: Rennert J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC153517 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature